I'm having a dispute with my landlord regarding late fees.?

As of this morning, I sent a certified check for the full amt (including the disputed fee) along with a demand letter disputing the assessment of the late fee. I used a courier service, so I can have proof of receipt. The entire dispute arose because I placed the rent in the payment box the evening of due date (this is usual course of conduct in our building), however I presume because they have gone to extremes to tape off the box (so people that are late will not have access) the envelope presumably was caught in the box. They assessed a late fee because they did not find my check until two days passed. I am disputing the $100 late fee. Should I fax a letter to their offices, if so, what should I include in the letter? My intention is to get an acknowledgement from them of receipt of the payment. Or should I just leave well-enough alone in that the receipt from the courier service is sufficient. I would still like confirmation from them that my account reflects a zero balance

If the landlord cashed the check, you are not in arrears for your rent payments.

If the money order was dated for the usual due date of the rent, the landlord cannot claim that it was late.

The amount of the late fee is USURIOUS (remember that legal term) tell the landlord that you will not pay the late fee and if he tries to take you to court or evict you you will be able to beat him in court and probably it will cost him money for wasting the court's time.

The judge might even force him to repay all the "late fees" he has collected from al of his tenants ..._with interest.

Drop boxes can be a problem with a landlord that is anal about rent on time. There used to be a grace period of 2 days, but that is up to the landlord. $100.00 late free sounds pretty steep to me, but if that is in your contact, so be it. You must have a receipt of when you issued the check? if so contact, your landlord and explain the situation. Good luck and take care. If they do not give you the benefit of the doubt, find a new place to live, that will settle that.

was the letter dated by the issuer? (the place that printed out the check) I would say as long as it has some sort of official date posted on it they can't do any thing about it except complain. Also if they already cashed it then they screwed them selves.